Masala Paal (Steamed Milk with Pistachios and Almonds)

A staple in restaurants throughout southern India, masala paal is a milk-based beverage that is sweetened with sugar and garnished with almonds and pistachios. We learned how to whip up a homemade version when cookbook author Raghavan Iyer stopped by our test kitchen and taught us this recipe. Get the recipe for Steamed Milk with Pistachios and Almonds (Masala Paal) »Ingalls Photography

A staple in restaurants throughout southern India, masala paal is a milk-based beverage that is sweetened with sugar and garnished with almonds and pistachios. We learned how to whip up a homemade version when cookbook author Raghavan Iyer stopped by our test kitchen and taught us this recipe. It first appeared as part of the digital edition of our August/September 2014 special India issue.

Masala Paal (Steamed Milk with Pistachios and Almonds)

A staple in restaurants throughout southern India, masala paal is a milk-based beverage that is sweetened with sugar and garnished with almonds and pistachios.

Yield: serves 4

Ingredients

8 cups whole milk

1⁄4 cup blanched almonds

1⁄4 cup raw pistachios

1⁄3 cup sugar

Instructions

Bring milk to a boil in a 4-qt. nonstick saucepan. Reduce heat to medium; cook, stirring occasionally and scraping the insides of the pan to release browned milk solids, until the milk is reduced by half, 25–30 minutes. Meanwhile, purée almonds and pistachios in a small food processor until coarsely ground. Once milk is reduced, stir in nut mixture and sugar. Serve warm.